Nordic Seminar Success

Sweden Hosts Inaugural Nordic Countries Unified Football Seminar

Unified Football Nordic Countries Seminar

16 Representatives from Six Nordic Special Olympics Programs in attendance.

Stockholm, Sweden: Sixteen representatives from the six Nordic Special Olympics Programs gathered for the first Special Olympics Nordic Countries Unified Football Seminar in Stockholm, Sweden from November 23rd to 25th. The event was hosted by Special Olympics Sweden. Coaches and representatives from Faroe Islands, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland attended. In addition a representative from the National Football Association of each country also participated.

Andre Peeters, Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Sport Advisor (Football) lead the general introduction to Unified Sports and the technical and practical sessions. Sabine Menke, Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Director Unified Sports, conducted the background sessions on Unified Sports in Special Olympics. She introduced the new three-options-model - Sports Rules, Article 1, Section M

There was also an introduction session covering the valuable partnership with UEFA and related activities. Jonatan Sandberg, Sports Director Special Olympics Sweden, supported the facilitation of the sessions.

Key Outcomes

Valuable insights gained from listening to experiences of similar countries

The Group identified three main outcomes of the Seminar:

• The new three-options-Unified model is significantly valuable to strengthen and develop Unified Sports in Nordic countries. • Valuable insight gained from engagement with similar countries.• Future co-operation planned between the involved Programs such as invitational events, invitations to National Games, future seminars.

This Seminar was made possible through the kind support of UEFA – RESPECT.

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